d not come?"

"Exactly. He has had a great deal to do."

"Nothing should have prevented him from coming here."

It never seemed to have occurred to her that he had been in any
danger; nor, as McKay noticed, had she asked whether he was safe and
well.

"It was quite impossible for him to come. He--he--"

"Pray go on! You are very tantalising."

"The general has been badly wounded," McKay now blurted out abruptly.

"Dear! dear!" she said, rather coolly. "I am very sorry to hear it.
When and how did it occur?"

McKay explained.

"Poor dear!" This was the first word of sympathy she had spoken, and
even now she made no offer to go to him.

"The doctors think there is no great danger if--"

"Danger!" This seemed to rouse her. "I trust not."

"No danger," went on McKay, "if only he can be properly nursed. They
were glad to hear of the arrival of the yacht, and think he ought to
be moved on board."

"Oh, of course this will be the best place for him. When can he be
brought? I suppose I ought to go to him. Will it be possible to get a
conveyance to the front?"

"Nothing but an ambulance, I fear. And you know there is no road."

"Upon my word I hardly know what to say."

"We could manage a saddle-horse for you, I daresay."

"I'm a very poor horsewoman: you see I'm half a foreigner. No; the
best plan will be to stay on board and get everything ready for the
poor dear man. When may we expect him?"

"The doctors seem to wish the removal might not be delayed. You may
see us in the morning."

"So, then, I am to have the pleasure of meeting you again, Mr. McKay?"

"I should be sorry to leave the general while I can be of any use. He
has been a kind friend to me."

"And you are a relation. Of course it is very natural you should wish
to be at his side. I am sure I shall be delighted to have your
assistance in nursing him," said Mrs. Wilders, very graciously; and
soon afterwards McKay took his leave.

"So that is the last stumbling-block in my son's way: a sturdy,
self-reliant sort of gentleman, likely to be able to take care of
himself. I should like to get him into my power: but how, I wonder,
how?"

Next day they moved the wounded general to Balaclava, and got him
safely on board the _Arcadia_. He was accompanied by a doctor and
McKay.

Mrs. Wilders received her husband with the tenderest solicitude.

"How truly fortunate I came here!" she said, with the tears in her
eyes.

"Lydstone made no objecti